Incense Burner
Unknown Artist
11th century
Medium
Bronze; cast, chased, and pierced
Dimensions
H. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm) W. 10 in. (25.4 cm) D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Metal
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1967
Accession Number
67.178.3a, b
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Islamic Art galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of, this 11th-century bronze incense burner stands as a testament to the exquisite metalworking traditions of the medieval Islamic world. Measuring about 10 inches wide and nearly 10 inches tall, its compact form—ideal for a tabletop or niche—features a pierced body that allows aromatic smoke to waft gracefully through intricate openwork designs. Crafted by an unknown artist, it was cast in molten bronze, then meticulously chased (hammered with fine tools to create raised motifs from the interior) and pierced, showcasing the techn...